Nearly 450 jobs have been secured with the sale of a family-owned supermarket chain to a larger rival.

The Midcounties Co-operative, which is based in Warwickshire, has agreed to buy Powys-based Harry Tuffins.

Tuffins has 10 stores in Powys, Flintshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire, and its headquarters are in Churchstoke, near Welshpool.

The Midcounties Co-operative has over 470 branches and employs more than 8,500 staff.

The larger chain has stores in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Shropshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire.

We have plans to significantly invest in the estate, but customers and our new colleagues can rest assured we fully appreciate how much this unique group of stores are cherished by their local communitiesBen Reid, Midcounties Co-operative chief executive

The company said it was keen to build on the success enjoyed by Harry Tuffins, and would be keeping the firm's trading name.

Midcounties chief executive Ben Reid said: "As a member-owned society with values of democracy, openness, equality and social responsibility, we believe the fairer way we do business is an excellent match with the family ethos the company has long adhered to."

Midcounties said 449 jobs had been secured across the 10 Tuffin sites in Churchstoke, Machynlleth and Knighton, in Powys, Holywell in Flintshire, Craven Arms, Bishops Castle, Ludlow and Cleobury Mortimer, in Shropshire, and Lydney and Coleford, in Gloucestershire.

Mr Reid added: "We have plans to significantly invest in the estate, but customers and our new colleagues can rest assured we fully appreciate how much this unique group of stores are cherished by their local communities."

The Delves family, who own Harry Tuffins, said: "We are confident that in The Midcounties Co-operative we have found someone who shares our values and understands these stores have a special place in the community, and they will continue that tradition."